Deer poachers using 'numerous' unmarked helicopters

11.50 am

Rotorua police have seized a helicopter and charged its owner with poaching deer on private land - a crime which they say is on the rise.

Two others were charged yesterday over the incident on a private block of land in the southern Whirinaki area. All three men come from Whakatane.

Poaching in the region, particularly on privately owned blocks, had increased in line with the price of venison, said Detective Sergeant John Wilson, of Rotorua police.

Police had been investigating the alleged offence since it was reported in January, but there were other offenders who had also been illegally hunting on private blocks in the area, he said.

Deer numbers were greater on the private blocks because there was less ground hunting than in Crown-owned bush and an increase in poaching had been noted since the price of venison began to rise last September.

"There is poaching being carried out by numerous different helicopter operators but they are very elusive."

Identifying marks and registration numbers on helicopters used for poaching were usually covered, making it difficult to track them down, he said.

"It's an indication of the profit that can be made. I would say most of the poachers own their own machines, predominantly Robinson R22s which, as helicopters go, are pretty cheap to own."

It was impossible to guess how many animals were being poached but the venison was being sold to legitimate outlets which routinely bought meat from hunters. They had no way of knowing whether the animals had been poached, Mr Wilson said.

"They're not to know where it's coming from. They're buying feral animals from hunters all the time."

Mr Wilson said he was aware the price of venison had risen to about $8 a kilogram at one stage.

"It's dropped again now, but there's certainly still money to be made. Once the price (of venison) goes up, the poaching begins."

The Whirinaki incident had involved a pilot, who owned the helicopter, a shooter and a "ground crew" of one.

The pilot, a 34-year-old, was yesterday charged with unlawful hunting, being party to unlawful possession of a firearm and committing an offence against the Civil Aviation Act, namely not displaying registration marks.

The alleged shooter, also 34, faces a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm and one of being a party to unlawful hunting, and the third man, aged 36, has been charged with being a party to unlawful hunting.

The men were to appear in Rotorua District Court in a fortnight, Mr Wilson said.

"This was one incident on one block but we are aware there are numerous others and rely on landowners to keep watch and catch them in the act," he said.

"Landowners can help us get the evidence we need to prosecute. We hope this week's seizure will act as a deterrent to other poachers out there.

"The gains (of poaching) are significant, but so are the penalties."

Unlawful hunting could attract a fine of up to $10,000 for individuals and up to $80,000 for corporate bodies.

Under the Wild Animal Control Act which the offence came under, anything used in the commission of the offence, including helicopters, could be seized and forfeited to the Crown, said Mr Wilson.

- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)